Can Leicester City repeat?

Riyad Mahrez will stay with the Foxes this season. Can he build on last year’s excellent 17-goal campaign?

Put your hand up if you thought the Foxes would win the league last year. Now put your hands down, because you’re lying. (Yes, even you, Leicester City fan in the back.)

But despite the incredible odds, that’s exactly what Leicester City did, pulling off a historic title run that saw them finish a comfortable 10 points ahead of second-place Arsenal. This season, Leicester is no longer the hunter but the hunted, as every other club in the league will be gunning for their crown.

This season will add an additional wrinkle to the series as the two sides find themselves under new managers. United will be guided by José Mourinho while City will be welcoming Pep Guardiola. Together, they are two of the most accomplished managers in professional football and have a rivalry of their own, dating back to their days in La Liga.

While Guardiola has a 5-2 edge over Mourinho (they also have four ties between them), the addition of fresh troops on both sides will only make this rivalry more interesting. At City, Guardiola has secured the defensive talents of John Stones and added a dazzling winger in Leroy Sané. Combined with the always-deadly Sergio Agüero, and City again finds itself as one of the most lethal teams around, under the guidance of a master tactician.

Is redemption in the cards for Chelsea and Liverpool?

Chelsea and Liverpool have played some close games in the past. Which club will return to the top this season?

After surging to the 2014-15 Premier League title, Chelsea fell off a cliff last season, finishing 10th with a squad that was just one year removed from being kings of the mountain. Fans at Stamford Bridge were clearly not having it, and this year they will be looking to the fiery Antonio Conte for a fresh start. The Italian brings a wealth of experience and passion to his new club, and with exciting signings Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kanté hungry to make an immediate impact, Chelsea should again be one of better squads in the league. Despite questions around Eden Hazard’s form and John Terry’s role, don’t be surprised if Conte leads the Blues on a raging comeback to reclaim their spot at the top.

Over at Anfield, Liverpool will continue to rebuild under Jürgen Klopp. After a successful spell at Borussia Dortmund, the German is determined to build on last year’s campaign and turn his club into Premier League contenders. Unlike many of his peers, Klopp has not indulged in signing stars. However, the Liverpool boss has brought several new recruits to Anfield and has always been adept at getting the best out of his players. While a top-four finish is unlikely this year, there’s no doubt Klopp has this side trending upwards.

Will Arsenal take the final step?

Is this the year Arsenal reclaims the top spot? The Gunners have not tasted title glory since the 2003-04 season.

For a model of consistency, look no further than Arsenal under Arsène Wenger. The Gunners have never finished outside the top five since Wenger was appointed in 1996, and this year they are ready to challenge for a title again.

Up front, Arsenal will feature the versatile Olivier Giroud once more. But for all his natural ability, apparent in matches such as the 4:0 thumping of Villa, skeptics have questioned if Giroud can lead Arsenal to the promised land. He’ll receive some help in the form of new midfield signee Granit Xhaka, a skilled lefty with superb passing ability. If Wenger can bring out the best of his attacking stars and patch together a good enough defence, then this year may see the Gunners reach the top spot that barely eluded them last year.